Cylindrical structure



Feb. 24,V i931. v. F. HAMMEL y GYLINDRICAL STRUCTURE l Filed Oct. 6. 1928 heats-Sheet l Fj. 24, V. F" HAMMEL CYLINDRICAL STRUCTURE Filed oct. s, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 2 ,l P... Sia/www0@ Vm-ma F, HAMMEL,

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rPatented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES -VICTOR F. HAMMEL, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

CYLINDRICAL STRUCTURE Application filed October 6, 1928.

rlhis invention relates to cylindrical structures having great stiffness and strength, and which may be easily and quickly made.

One object of this invention is to produce an integral cylindrical network which includes trussed longitudinal structural members to provide a unit structure having4 great stiffness, this being attained by permitting the longitudinal members to act under strain u as compression struts.

A second object of this invention is to einploy rods, or bars, or both, disposed lengthwise of and connecting the longitudinal structural members and said rods, or bars, in the desired net-Work'relation.

A third object of this invention is to produce such a structure having the longitudinal structural members in a circular or other group, and With therods, or bars, disposed zu helically lengthwise of the members and connecting the longitudinal members and the bars or rods in the mentioned net-Work relation.

A fourth specitic object o this invention zo is to produce such a structure wherein the rods, or bars, are Woven or otherwise helically arranged around and connected to a circular or other group ot' spaced longitudinal structural members.

A fifth object of this invention is to pro `duce a structure like that just before-n1en tioned, in which some of the rods or bars are helically arranged clockwise around the group ot longitudinals and in which structure other rods, orbars, are helically arranged anticlockivise around said group of longitu dinals.

A sixth object ot this invention is to produce a structure, having any or all of the 4Q Characteristic features noted, and jormed of sections connected end to end to form a long post.

A seventh object of this invention is to produce a structure havingI any or all of thc characteristic features noted, and also having additional stitlcning means or devices carried thereby at desired intervals.

An eighth object of this invention is to produce a structure having any or all ot' the characteristic features noted and wherein sonic ot serial n. 310,889.

the longitudinal structural members extend throughout the entire length ofthe structure, while the remainder of the longitudinal struc tural members extends for only a portion of the length of the structure.

A ninth object. ot' this invention is to pro `vide a method having simple steps for speedily assembling the elements ((a) the longitudinal structural members and (b) the rods, or bars) and connecting the same in the predetermined network relation.

A tenth object of this invention is to provide mechanism, preferably tor practicing the method mentioned, for speedily assembling and connecting the elements of the structure.

A. further object ot the invention is to provide post or pole having a greater resistance against movementwhen set or embedded in the ground, than a solid or tubular pole of the same external dimensions.

Other objects of this invention will he mentioned hereinafter and, in the appended claims.

Referring to the 'accompanyingdrai ings, Fig. l illustrates a cross-section of a grooved mandrel, being a support lor holding a plurality of longitudinal structural members in the preferred spaced side-b v-side relation. Fig. 2 is a .side elevational view of a so portion of such a mandrel.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mandrel ot Fig. l, with longitudinal structural V-shaped angles fitted in the grooves of the mandrel. Fig. i is a side elevational view of a portion of the mandrel and ot the longitudinals fitted in the grooves of such mandrel.

F ig. 5 is a. cross-secthn1al view of the. man drel before-mentioned and of the longitudinals within the grooves thereof, and also showing the near-by Winding or laying devices for winding or laying rods. or bars, around the held longitudinals, together with nearby electrical or other Welding devices lor welding the wound or laid rods to the longitudinale. Fig. (i is a side ele vational view ol.` the parts illustrated in Fig. 5.

Figs. 1 2, and --l illustrate the principal steps of my neu' method 'fo assembling and connecting the elements of one form of my new cylindrical structure.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of one form of my new cylindrical structure, being a pole shown as set in the ground and formed of successive sections connectedend to end. The rods, or bars, are shown as helically disposed around the pole in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

Fig. 8 illustrates, in plan view, an arrangement of parts wherein the longitudinal structural members are outside of the pole or post and the helically or otherwise disposed rods, or bars, are inside of and connected to the grouped longitudinale. Fig. 9 is a side elevational View of a portion of the resulting pole.

Fig. 10 .is a plan view, quite like that of Fig. 8, showing rods, or bars arranged outside as well as inside of and connected with the longi tudinals. Fig.y 11 1s a side view 1n elevation of the pole of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of one form of my new cylindrical structure, being a pole, wherein some of the longitudinal structural members extend for the entire length of the structure, `while the remainder of the longitudinals extend for only about three-fourths of the length of the structure.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of a form of my new cylindrical structure, with part broken away t0 show added strengthening or stiffening means inserted or applied at desired intervals.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a form of the new cylindrical structure, in which additional strength orstiffness is given by the employmentof tying loops, or the like, for connecting oppositely-disposed longitudinals of the circular or other group thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1-7, A indicates a mandrel having grooves A1 extending longitudinally thereof. The mandrel may have a length equaling that of the entire pole or post, or equaling that ofthe section of the structure to be made. As more particularly des'ribed hereinafter, such mandrel may be a pole-piece of an electromagnet (or a continuation thereof).

B indicates longitudinal structural members, here shown as V-shaped angles, laid in the grooves A1 of the mandrel, and held in place by any means, such as the magnetic attraction of the mandrel. The outer edges of the anges-receive the next-hereinafter described rods, or bars, when helically wound around the assembled group of longitudinals.

C1 indicates rods or bars Woven around said group of longitudinale in a desired direction (for instance, clockwise), and C indicates other rods or bars woven around the group of longitudinals in an opposite direction. Preferably, the weaving is uniform, with opposite spirals crossing each other in pairs at their intersection with a longitudinal member and at this junction the three are secured together' being preferably electrically forged or welded.

0,010 indicate weaving heads which may be employed to lay the rods or bars helically and lengthwise of the longitudinals.

D and D1 indicate welding apparatus, for securing the rods, or bars, and the longitudinals together.

The longitudinals, and also the helices wound thereover, may be held in place by the attractive action of the magnet which has a mandrel formed or connected to act as a pole-piece, awaiting the operation of weldmg.

The structure, formed in the manner described, generally is an integral net-work of trussed longitudinal structural members. Such trussed construction gives the unit structure great stiffness and strength by permitting the longitudinal members to act under strain as compression struts. The longitudinals are so invested by virtue of their being supported, at predetermined points, both diagonally and circumferentially, against defiection by the helically-arranged diagonal rods or bars.

Applied to the construction of a pole, the longitudinal members carry the direct compression or tensile stresses, while the helically-arranged rods (or bars) act as bracing means for limiting the unsupported lengths of the compression members, and for resisting torsion or twisting.

A pole or post made of this construction has equal strength in all directions and has a high torsional resisting strength. Being made of a multiple number of struts, it is not subject to sudden collapse under failure; the longitudinal members being at different distances from the neutral'axis (of the circular or other cross-section) do not fail in unison,

the loads they carry being in proportion to their distance from the before-mentioned neutral axis. With the collapse of the outermost member, the inner members must first take up the additional burden before they, in turn, fail.

With these inherent qualities, the struc ture surpasses the ideal tube as a means of carrying' loads by beam or cantilever action; its superiority lies in the fact that a better distribution of steel is possible, and with' the same amount of steel a higher resisting moment is obtained.

A pole constructed in accordance with the present invention is light in weight, being lighter than a wooden pole of like cross-sec tion and length, and is much stronger than such a wooden pole.

It is possible to make a structure or pole having a greater transverse strength by sub stituting heavier structural shapes in the sides where the greater strength is required.

The longitudinal members are of any kind or shape, though for general utility, the angle is preferred. The helically-disposed members may be of any shape or form but are preferably of rectangular or circular section. The principal of the construction is applicable to any form or shape of longitudinals, this being true also of the helicallydisposed members. Preferably, the longitudinals and also the helical-members are of steel.

The structure is equally applicable to an rectangular, triangular, cylindrical, taperec conical or other form.

The helix or the helices may be woven around the group of longitudinals, or may, as hereinafter described, be on the inside of the group, or be both inside and outside of the group.

The structure lends itself to the simplest kind of mechanical fabrication. For instance, as illustratedin Figs. 1-6, the structural longitudinals may be laid in the grooves of a mandrel a. weaving mechanism (consisting of two heads) lays the helices, while a welding head may make eight, or any multiple of circumferential welds in one operation.

The helices can, obviously,be wound-on in single rods or multiples from one or more spools disposed lengthwise or alongside of the mandrel.

An entire pole may be made in one continuous operation upon the same mandrel,`

or, the assemblage may be limited to only a section of a pole.

The sections can be nested for shipment, and afterwards assembled by joining them end to end, somewhat after the fashion of assembling stove pipes. One form of complete pole is shown in Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

The structure when made into a pole may be reinforced, by rings, F, F1, F2 and F3, as shown, at a point below the ground line, at the butt, at the top, and at intervals throughout the length of the pole. Some of the bands or rings, F1 and F2, may also be used to secure the sections of the pole together. The said bands or rings, especially when attached at the junction with longitudinal and helical members, act to reduce the unsupported lengths of the longitudinals and take circumferential stresses; they thus act as stiffening and strengtening means.

Referring, now, to Figures 8-11 of the accompanying drawings, these illustrate manners of assembling elements of a pole, or other structure, with the helically-disposed rods,

or bars, inside of the group of longitudinals.

In the case of Figures 8 and 9, oppositelywoven rods, Cf3 and C99, are shown as wound around a mandrel, A2, and longitudinals, B3, positioned about the rods. In the case of Figures 10 and 11, oppositely-woven rods, indicated as C100 and C101, are shown as wound around the longitudinals which latter have helically-disposed rods within the group of longitudinals. y

For the sake of lightness, and also since, for many purposes, the `upper end of a pole need not be as strong as the lower end thereof, some of the longitudinals need not extend to the upper end of the pole, it being suiiicient if (say) one-half of the longitudinale shall reach to the uppermostlend of the pole. Such a structure, made in accordance with my invention, is illustrated in Fig. 12, in which B99 indicates the longitudinals which extend for about three-quarters of the length of the pole, while the other longitudinals, indicated at B10", run from end to Vendyof the structure.

In this case, as in Fig. 7, strengthening or stilfenin rings, F1, F2 and F3v` are shown as surrounding the pole.

Instead of being external of the structure, strengthening or stifi'ening diaphragms, disks or plates, indicated at G and G1, may be placed within the pole as shown in Figure 13.

Referring to Figure 14, I may use tying means instead of the rings or the internal diaphragms, disks or plates, for maintaining the relative position of the longitudinals, andl thus stiifening and strengthening the pole. The object sought will be accom plished, inthe case of Figure 14, by using as many ties, E, as there are pairs of longitudinals, and employing each tie to engage with and pass around oppositely arranged longitudinals.

It will be observed with reference to Fig. 7 that a pole constructed in accordance with the present invention is of the same lattice work structure throughout including the pori tion embedded in the earth as shown at X.

ther and more important than this element` is the fact that due to the use of the lattice work construction underground, the earth becomes tightly packed about all sides of the members as well as into the angles of the longitudinals and thus grips the pole so firmly that it offers a greater resistance against movement than asolid or tubular pole of the same external dimensions.

In the appended claims the structure disclosed herein is described as comprising rods wound in left and right hand helices, etc. The term helices as used in the claims is intended to include a true helix of constant generating radius throughout its entire eX- tent, as well as a tapered helix wherein the generating radius of the helix decreases gradually from one end to the other of the structure.

What I claim is:

1. A latticed metal pole or column comprising rods Wound in left and right hand helices together with stifened bars extending longitudinally in Contact With said rods and Welded thereto at the contact points.

2. A latticed metal pole or column comprising rods Wound in ylett and right hand helices together With flanged bars extending in alignment with the intersections of said rods and welded thereto at said intersections.

A latticed metal pole or column comprising rods Wound in left and right hand intersecting helices having substantially equal pitch, and flanged bars extending inalignnient with the intersections of said rods and Welded thereto at said intersections.

4. A latticed metal pole or column comprising rods Wound .in left and right hand intersecting helices together Wit-h flanged bars of angle section extending in alignment with the intersections of the said rods and Welded thereto at said interseetionsrsai d angle bars being positioned about said helically Wound rods with their vertices pointing outwardly, whereby said pole providesv great resistance against movement with a portion thereof iinplanted in the ground- 5. A latticed metal pole or column co1nprising rods extending in right and left hand intersecting helices together with fl -uiged bars extending in alignment with the intersections of said rods and welded thereto at :said intersections, said rods being shaped to follow substantially straight line paths between adjacent bars.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 27th day of September, A. D. 1928.

VICTOR HAMMEL. 

